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Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit, nongovernmental human rights organization made up of roughly 400 staff members around the globe. Its staff consists of human rights professionals including country experts, lawyers, journalists, and academics of diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Established in 1978, Human Rights Watch is known for its accurate fact-finding, impartial reporting, effective use of media, and targeted advocacy, often in partnership with local human rights groups. Each year, Human Rights Watch publishes more than 100 reports and briefings on human rights conditions in some 90 countries, generating extensive coverage in local and international media. With the leverage this brings, Human Rights Watch meets with governments, the United Nations, regional groups like the African Union and the European Union, financial institutions, and corporations to press for changes in policy and practice that promote human rights and justice around the world.

Meet the investigators behind Human Rights Watch's work.

MISSION STATEMENT
Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all.

CORE VALUES - WE ARE: COMMITTED TO OUR MISSION OF DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS WORLDWIDE. Our work is guided by international human rights and humanitarian law and respect for the dignity of each human being.

INDEPENDENT. To ensure our independence, we do not accept government funds, directly or indirectly, or support from any private funder that could compromise our objectivity and independence. We do not embrace political causes, are non-partisan, and maintain neutrality in armed conflict.

FACTUAL, ACCURATE, AND ETHICAL IN OUR FACT-FINDING. We are committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy and fairness, including by seeking out multiple perspectives to develop an in- depth, analytic understanding of events. We recognize a particular responsibility for the victims and witnesses who have shared their experiences with us.

ACTIVELY FOCUSED ON IMPACT. We succeed only when our actions lead to positive and sustainable change. We are never complacent, always on the lookout for new opportunities to advance our cause. We also are committed to working on difficult situations, where long-term attention is required for meaningful impact.

SUPPORTIVE OF A DIVERSE AND VIBRANT INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIPS. We work closely with a broad range of local and international civil society actors to maximize our impact. We speak out against attacks on civil society and defend the political space within which the broader human rights movement operates.

Human Rights Watch Names New Board Co-chairs
Two prominent human rights advocates have lead the international board of Human Rights Watch since October 2016. Robert Kissane, chairman of Community Counseling Services (CCS), joins Hassan Elmasry, managing partner at Independent Franchise Partners, as co-chair. Kissane succeeds Joel Motley as co-chair. Read more >>

Top Rated - Charity Navigator

In earning Charity Navigator's highest four star rating, Human Rights Watch has demonstrated exceptional financial health in its efforts to manage and grow its finances in the most fiscally responsible way possible. Review our rating.